Victor Osimhen's unexpected half-time substitution during Nigeria's crucial World Cup playoff clash against DR Congo has sparked widespread concern, particularly from Turkey. The 26-year-old forward was replaced by Sevilla's Akor Adams after reportedly limping off the pitch. His absence was keenly felt, as the Nigerian Super Eagles struggled in the second half, eventually losing in a penalty shootout.

The news of Osimhen's injury prompted considerable worry among fans of Galatasaray, his club team, who expressed frustration over national team duties affecting his fitness. Social media reactions highlighted concerns over the tight schedules, with some fans urging Osimhen to prioritize the World Cup 2026 over continental tournaments to avoid recurring injuries.

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle addressed the speculation, insisting that Osimhen was withdrawn due to an injury. This statement came amidst rumors of a possible dressing-room confrontation at halftime, fueled by a controversial incident involving Ademola Lookman’s cutback, which some believed should have been converted by Samuel Chukwueze or Wilfred Ndidi. While these reports circulated online, they remain unverified and contradict the coach's account.

Supporting Chelle’s explanation, sports journalist Sulaiman Adebayo, known as Pooja, shared a video showing Osimhen visibly limping on the pitch, reinforcing that injury was indeed the reason for his early departure. Despite this, the Super Eagles’ performance suffered, with Nigeria struggling to maintain possession, build effective attacks, and ultimately falling 6–5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. This loss ended their hopes of advancing in the 2026 intercontinental World Cup playoffs.

The evening’s chaos extended beyond the pitch. Coach Chelle later revealed that a DR Congo official performing repeated “voodoo-like” gestures during the shootout sparked tensions between the teams’ benches, further highlighting the frustration of Nigeria’s campaign.